Bite-size sample for healthy eating habits

Parents became lunch box legends yesterday as they gathered at Lutheran Primary School to learn new ways of making fruit and vegetables enticing to their children.

Cancer Council’s Eat It To Beat It campaign organiser and nutrition project officer Avril Grintell said the program would help parents of picky eaters.

“The fruit and veg session is the main component of the program and includes tips for fussy eaters, recipe ideas, budgeting and recipe modifications and health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables,” she said.

Mrs Grintell said the ministry of health had revealed that 90 per cent of adults in NSW are not eating the correct amount of vegetables and informing parents of techniques to encourage better eating which would aid the children long-term.

“We’re going off the role-modelling idea and getting changes from an early age,” she said.

“If we can start them on the right foot, hopefully we can get them in healthy habits for life.”

Mum Anna Bolton said her son Asher was a good eater of vegies but she was hoping to gain some tips.

“Just some healthy ideas,” she said. “I just wanted some extra ideas and things I haven’t thought of.”

Parents were armed with a healthy lunch box kit, which included ideas, snacks and recipes and a planner with fridge magnets on the back as an aid.

Food I Am chef Tania Sibrey was on hand to demonstrate delicious meal ideas and shared her tips on encouraging children to eat more fruit and vegetables.

“It’s a matter of making it look interesting on the plate, easy to eat, and in bite sizes,” she said.

“They’ll try a greater variety of fruit that way as well.”

For more information on the program visit cancercouncil.com.au/eatittobeatit or call 6937 2606.

PLATE UP: Eat It To Beat It organiser Avril Grintell displays a plate of healthy food at a Cancer Council campaign kicking off at Lutheran Primary School, where parents discovered ways to implement a better diet for their children. Picture: Addison Hamilton